Let me introduce you to one of my favorite dried flowers, Nigella Love in the Mist, Nigella damascena L. Besides it's common name of Love in a Mist it is also known as Kiss-Me-Twice-Before-I-Rise, Lady-in-the-Bower, Love-in-a-Tangle, Bird's Nest, Blue Spiderflower, Blue Crown, Devil-in-the Bush, Ragged Lady, St. Katharine's Flower, Fennel Flower, Jack-in-Prison or Jack-in- the Green, Love-in-a-Puzzle, or Gith. It is an annual Buttercup in the Ranunculaceae family and has been a favorite cutting flower in cottage gardens in England since the Elizabethan times. One of about 20 species in the Nigella genus which derives it's name from the word Niger for its intensely black seeds it originated from North Africa and Southern Europe. Egyptian women are said to have consumed great quantities of the seeds in hopes of "plumping up" which was a sign of beauty! The flowers range from various shades of blue, light purple, white and pink.
Nigella damascena. Photograph by Maggie McCain via Flickr.
It gets its common name from the delicate and feathery thread-like leaves that create a halo or ruff around the flower. The fruit of this flower blows up like a balloon and dries into the distinctive seed head that is popular in dried floral arrangements.
It's sister plant Nigella Orientalis, also has a distinctive flower and dried seed head.
In the Language of Flowers Nigella- Love-in-a-Mists meaning's are; "the Bonds that Bind us Together", Harmony, Love, Perplexity, You Puzzle Me, Be Open to Love, and Kiss Me. It was used in Victorian times in Tussie Mussie bouquets and it is said to be a flower that you gift a friend on Friday's.
Love-In-a-Mist seed pods have a subtle burgundy stripe and I use them in most of my "Love" designs for their distinctive look as well as their meaning.
Photo and "Love," tussie mussie bouquet featuring Love-In-the-Mist by Noel Knower, Flora Sophia.
Manifestation Nest featuring Nigella-Orientalis by Noel Knower, Flora Sophia.
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"Persian Jewels' Nigella Love-in-a-Mist
Flora Sophia, The Wisdom of Flowers, Bringing Beauty and Meaning to Life.
